Character Analysis Of Willy Loman In Death Of A Salesman

Willy Loman from â€Å"Death of a Salesman† by Arthur Miller is a tragic hero. A tragic hero is someone who has a judgement error and inevitably ends up destroying himself. Miller believes that the common man makes the best tragic hero as we want to be seen as a image and or not be thrown away. That fear, which he believes is very strong today, is what makes us the best tragic hero. I would take the stance that Willy Loman is a tragic hero. Willy starts to show signs of flaw of judgement, reversal of fortune, and excessive pride. The biggest flaw Willy has is his judgement error. His inability to enjoy the present world instead of living/chasing is fantasy one. â€Å"Its about being impressive. You know what I mean? And hes not a very impressive†¦show more content†¦I averaged a hundred and seventy dollars a week in commissions. HOWARD: Now Willy, you never averaged— WILLY: I averaged a hundred and seventy dollars a week in the year of 1928! (Miller 64) Willy was sure that he was amazing at his job even though it was untrue. Yelling at howard, Willy most likely lost his job right here in this instance as Howard was already tired of Willy since he did nothing but mislead. He no longer has income and can provide for his family because of his actions. Even when Willy gets job offer from Charley, he just denies the offer for no real justifiable reason. CHARLEY: You want a job? WILLY: I got a job, I told you that. [After a slight pause] What the hell are you offering me a job for? CHARLEY: Don’t get insulted. WILLY: Don’t insult me (Miller 29) Even in the circumstances that Willy’s in, he decides to not take the job because he believes to be better than Charley. His own actions lead him to his downfall. Pride is also a big factor in Willy’s character. His pride kept him from moving forward to get back on his feet. CHARLEY: I offered you a job. You can make fifty dollars a week. And I won’t send you on the road. WILLY: I’ve got a job. CHARLEY: Without pay? What kind of a job is without pay? [He rises] Now look kid, enough is enough. I’m no genius but I know when I’m being insulted. WILLY: Insulted! CHARLEY: Why don’t you want to work for me? WILLY: What’s the matter with you? I’ve got a job! (Miller 76) Willy’s does not acceptShow MoreRelatedEssay about The American Dream in Death of a Salesman1371 Words   |  6 PagesArthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman’ is an examination of American life and consumerism. It relates the story of a common man who portrays this lifestyle. Other issues explored in the play include: materialism, procrastination and alienation. The play was set in 1948, in a time where The American Dream was highly regarded, despite the Depression. The American Dream was a belief that emerged in the later half of the nineteenth century, that if you work hard you will achieve success and prosperityRead MoreDeath Of A Salesman Tragedy Essay1365 Words   |  6 PagesDeath of a Salesman is a tragic play written in 1949 by Arthur Miller. The story is about a salesman who lost his identity after having an affair with ano ther woman and can’t seem to accept the changes in his life since the event. The story has been performed in theaters and shown on film for many years. Lee Siegel, a writer for The Nation explains the role of Death of a Salesman in the entertainment industry: Every ten years or so, Death of a Salesman is revived, and every ten years we get theRead MoreComparing Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and Fences by August Wilson 1403 Words   |  6 PagesFences written by August Wilson and Death of a Salesman written by Arthur Miller are two plays that could be considered very different in terms of their plot. The plots of both plays contain two very different cultural backgrounds which affects each protagonist differently. If the reader or audience looks past the plot into the theme and symbolisms used they can see that the plays are more similar than they are different. In spite of the different cultural backgrounds of each protagonist they bothRead More Death of a Salesman is a Tragedy as Defined in Millers Tragedy and the Common Man1046 Words   |  5 PagesDeath of a Salesman is a Tragedy as Defined in Millers Tragedy and the Common Man In Tragedy and the Common Man, Arthur Miller discusses his definition and criteria for tragedy as they apply to the common man. The criteria and standards proposed by Miller may be used to evaluate his timeless work, Death of A Salesman. The first major standard of tragedy set forth is:   â€Å"...if the exaltation of tragic action were truly a property of the high-bred character alone, it is inconceivable thatRead MoreWilly from Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller: Abandoned and Flawed798 Words   |  4 Pages The dramatic play Death of a Salesman, composed by Arthur Miller in 1949 portrays the hours leading up to Willy Loman’s death. Willy is a sixty-year-old salesman living in Brooklyn New York with his wife Linda and after thirty-five years working as a traveling salesman he feels defeated by his lack of success and difficult family life. As a salesman, Willy Loman focuses more on personality and being well liked by everyone than actual skills. When he returns early from a business trip it is apparentRead MoreAnalysis Of The Play Death Of A Salesman 954 Words   |  4 Pages Darrian Dowden AP English IV Death of a Salesman Written Assignment Death of a Salesman Character Analysis 1.Willy Loman. Although the main protagonist of the play, Willy Loman does not come to a certain self-realization. Searching and sifting through his memories (which cannot be completely taken as the truth as he reinvents them in a way to make them out as a golden era) he fails to recognize his slanted reality he’s lived in made up of his delusions. His forged relationship withRead MoreAmerican Dream Derailed in The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman1486 Words   |  6 Pageswork play a very large role in the pursuit of â€Å"the dream†. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, and Arthur Miller’s drama, Death of a Salesman, both protagonists, Jay Gatsby and Willy Loman, are convinced that the way to achieve a better life is by living the â€Å"American dream†. However, the dream does not end up successfully for these two characters. In fact, their ideals and hopes of rising to success cause their American dream to take a turn into a nightmare. Although it may seemRead MoreAnalysis of Biff in Death of a Salesman Essay1584 Words   |  7 PagesCamilla Tanzi Year 12 An analysis of the character of Biff. Biff Loman is portrayed as the root of Willy’s mental illness and instability. He is also the only member of his family who acknowledges his own failures in life. On the whole, Biff Loman stands out as the most intriguing and strong character in â€Å"Death of a Salesman. He is not a successful man and never will be, he is however able to admit this, even in a harsh society as the one of the 1960s America. Biff knows he is a â€Å"nothing† andRead MoreCriticism of Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman Essay1474 Words   |  6 PagesCriticism of Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman I found Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman, while a definite classic, not as interesting as other Miller plays. For example, ‘All my Sons is a story about an unscrupulous businessman who lies in court to save himself from certain imprisonment, sends his business partner to prison, and eventually commits suicide once one of his sons uncovers his devious plot. The intrigue, excitement, and setting were easy to follow, enjoyable and riveting. ConverselyRead More Modern Tragic Hero Essay1304 Words   |  6 Pages Death of a Salesman, considered as Author Millers most accomplished and successful plays, features the life of Willy Loman, a delusional salesman with a grandiose plan to live the American dream. As a result to the tragic events of Willy Loman’s life starting with his father’s abandonment, and ending with his suicide, Willy Loman never lives the life he has always dreamed. Although, arguably discredited as a tragic hero, Willy Loman attains the qualities essential to credit him as a tragic hero